New Book: Arabic Poetry of Allama Anwar Shah Kashmiri

Deoband added a new feather in its cap by publishing a new book on the Arabic poetry of Allamah Imam Muhammad Anwar Shah Kashmiri. This book was compiled by Abdul Malik Muzaffar Khan Rasoolpuri, Guest Lecturer and PhD scholar of Arabic Department of Delhi University, New Delhi. Abdul Malik belongs to Dist Lakhimpuri (UP) and is a graduate of Darul Uloom Deoband and MA Arabic from Delhi Universirty. Allamah Muhammad Anwar Shah Kashmiri is world renowned scholar and researcher of Hadith literature and one of the greatest scholars which Indian soil ever produced. Allamah Kashmiri was known for his feats and exploits in the field of Hadith sciences, but equally he was a prominent Arabic poet. He poetries were not compiled into any book, rather they were scattered in many of his books, writings, magazines and even manuscripts. He was endorsed by stalwart Arab scholars and writers like Shaikh Abdul Fattah Abu Ghuddah for his sweet, sublime and flowing Arabic poetry.
Maulana Abdul Malik Qasmi deserves our heartiest congratulations for bringing out this compilation. It will be helpful to have an estimation of the subtle literary taste and linguistic approach of the elders and Ulama of Deoband. 

The book contains some chapters on the life of Allama Kashmiri, his works and students. His Arabic poetry was compiled on the pattern of diwan (in alphabetic order of qafiah). Thus it covers nearly 100 pages of the book. The author has put explanatory and informative footnotes on the personalities as well as difficult Arabic and terminological words.

There are a number of Deoband scholars who were among the ablest Indian Arabic poets, but their works are still buried in the scattered pages of books and magazines. Recently, a scholer from International Islamic University of Islamabad completed his PhD on the poetry of Shaikh Habibur Rahman Usmani, Mohtamim Darul Uloom Deoband. Likewise, research work needs to be done on the Arabic poetries of other elders of Deoband like Shaikh Azaz Ali, Shaikh Faizul Hasan Saharanpuri, Mufti Kifayatullah, Muhammad Yusuf Kamilpuri etc.

It is a matter of pleasure that Maulana Abdul Malik Qasmi is preparing to compile other poetic woks of other Ulama of Deoband. He needs our assistance and cooperation. Therefore, those who have some access or information about the Arabic potries of Ulama of Deoband, they must inform him and render every possible help. Here is the list of some Ulama who are known to be composing Arabic poems:

1. H Maulana Muammad Qasim Nanotawi
   
2. Shaikh Habibur Rahman Usmani, Mohtamim Darul Uloom Deoband
3. Shaikh Azaz Ali
   
4. Shaikh Faizul Hasan Saharanpuri
5. Maulana Rahimullah Bijnori
   
6. Mufti Kifayatullah
7. Maulana Abdul Haq Madani
   
8. Muhammad Yusuf Kamilpuri
9. Maulana Abdur Rahman Sewharwi, Memebr Majlis Shura Darul Uloom Deoband
10. Maulana Merak Shah Kashmiri
11. Mufti Shafi Usmani
12. Maulana Yusuf Binori
13. Maulana Idris Kandhlawi
14. Maulana Qari Muhammad Tayyib
15. Maulana Habibur Rahman Muhaddith Azami
    
16. Jamil Ahmad Thanwi
17. Azizul Haq Chatgami
18. Maulana Yamin, Teacher Darul Uloom Deoband
19. Maulana Isa Fartab
20. Qari Fasih Ahmad Bihari

etc

Some details about the Book:
Book title:           Al-‘Allamah Muhammad Anwar Shah al-Kashmiri: Hayatuh wa Shi’ruh
                                (العلامۃ محمد أنور شاہ الکشمیری: حیاتہ و شعرہ)
Author:               Abdul Malik Muzaffar Khan Rasoolpuri
Publisher:            Darul Maarif, Aziziah Market, Near Muslim Fund, Deoband 247754 (INDIA)
Pages:                320
Available at:       Maktaba Rashidiah, Urdu Bazar, Jama Masjid, Delhi
                          Maktaba Fida-e-Millat, Mufti Tola, Moradabad UP
Maulana Abdul Malik Qasmi can be reached at: malikqasmi@gmail.com

Reviewed by:
Muhammadullah Khalili Qasmi

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